Support Groups
Homeschoolers have created networks of support to provide a way to make friends, get ideas and information, and to offer positive socialization opportunties to their children. You can join in! There are many groups to choose from, many with specific affiliations, like Christian groups or unschoolers' groups. Some are eclectic, inclusive, and open to anyone. Whatever your interest, you are sure to find other like-minded parents. And if you don't find what you are looking for, we've put together tips for starting your own group.
Local & State Groups
Support groups offer a way for those interested in homeschooling or new to home education to get information and support. They also offer opportunities for social activities, group learning, and networking. Find a support group near you in Tennessee.
National Groups
Tap into the national homeschool movement by connecting with these national homeschool groups and support organizations.
Social Media
Connect with other homeschooling using social networking tools. You can share tips and ideas, get support, collaborate on lesson plans, upload photos, and much more.
Co-Ops
A co-op offers a way to share teaching duties with others who are excited and knowledgeable about a subject. It also offers an opportunity for your children to learn in a group and to make friends. Browse through this list of co-ops in Tennessee.
Umbrella/Cover Schools
An umbrella or cover school provides an alternative way for parents to fulfill governmental educational guidelines and requirements. Most offer a variety of services, which can include curricula, social activities, field trips, standardized testing, portfolio reviews, evaluations, and graduation materials, including diplomas. While umbrella schools do tend to the needs of homeschoolers, they are considered a type of private school in most states.
Resource Centers
Homeschool resource centers offer classes, materials, field trips, and other activities for parents and children alike. They are great ways to get new information, engage in group activities, and network with other homeschoolers.
Public School Programs
Public schools are increasing offering programs to appeal to homeschooling families, from classes to educational materials to computer and distance learning. In most cases, students enrolled in these programs are considered public school students rather than homeschoolers. Learn more about these programs and decide if these are right for your family.
Group Management
Learn how to start and manage a homeschool support group, including how to stay organized, how to handle conflict, and ideas for your support group.
What's Popular
First Baptist Church Joelton (FBCJ) Home Educator's Association
First Baptist Church Joelton (FBCJ) Home Educator's Association provides educational support through field trips, theme-based educational study days, use of library facilities, opportunities for children to showcase their work, and shared experiences of the families in the group. There is also social support to children through recreational activities, field trips, holiday celebrations, drama, graduation celebration, and a variety of group activities that members volunteer to plan and direct. We...
Tennhomeschoolers Legislation
This forum gives homeschoolers in Tennessee the opportunity to discuss and share information regarding proposed legislation affecting the current Tennesse homeschooling laws.
Blount Home Education Association (BHEA)
BHEA is an association of independent home schooling families formed to encourage successful home education in Blount County. They provide support, information and encouragement to home schooling families and have more than 400 student members. BHEA sponsors many activities throughout the school year to enhance the educational program that each participating family provides at home.
HomeLife Academy
HomeLife Academy offers services to homeschooling families with students in all grade levels. Customize your own educational plan, get support with record keeping, and more.
Bedford County Homeschoolers Support Group
The mission of Bedford County Homeschool Support group is to serve local homeschooling families by providing support services and activities, information, guidance, motivation, and encouragement. Located in Shelbyville, Tennessee, they serve Bedford County and any other surrounding County that would need support in and with their homeschooling adventure.
Homeschool Hideout
This local e-mail support lists serves homeschoolers in Tipton County and the surrounding areas. Members plan and post field trips, swap resources, share prayer requests, ideas, questions, and encouragment.
Memphis Homeschool Internet Support (MHIS)
This is a Christian email group serving families in the Memphis/Shelby County area. Here you'll find field trip ideas, help with teaching, the opportunity to buy and sell curriculum, fellowship, support, and more.
Blessed Sacrament Homeschool Group (BSHG)
Blessed Sacrament Homeschool Group is a Catholic homeschool support group that has members in the Memphis Metro area, including North Mississippi, Eastern Arkansas, and other parts of West Tennessee. The Blessed Sacrament Homeschool Group is dedicated to encourage and enhance children with a nurturing, helpful, supportive, and loving family environment, based on the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church.
Association of Greater Appalachian Parent Educators (AGAPE) of Johnson City/Washington County
AGAPE is the acronym for Association of Greater Appalachian Parent Educators. It is commonly referred to as AGAPE of JC because it began and is presently centered in Johnson City, Tennessee. Agape is the oldest homeschooling support group in the TriCities and is a Christian homeschool support group. They offer field trips, family activities, Enrichment Days, lending library, Mom’s Night Out, and classes.
Catoosa Home Education Association (CHEA)
Catoosa Home Education Association, located in Northwest Georgia, is an Christian organization of almost 100 homeschool families. Membership includes families from Catoosa, Walker, Dade and Whitfield counties in Georgia as well as quite a number of families from Tennessee in the Chattanooga metro area. They offer group support to homeschool families in the geographic region through classes, field trips, family meetings, clubs, and friendships, and monitor Georgia and Tennessee legislation that a...
Gateway Christian Schools
PO Box 280117
Memphis, TN 38168-0117
Phone: 901-454-1606
Gateway Christian Schools Total Home Education Program provides phone counseling by experienced home educators, two reports as required per year, maintenance of cumulative school records for college entrance, assistance with transfers between public or private schools and home education, dipolmas for qualifying seniors, and assistance with college entrance. Enrollment is limited to those living in Tennesee or Mississippi.
Eclectic Homeschoolers of Middle Tennessee
This is an inclusive group of homeschoolers offering support, information, meetings, park days, and more.
Bradley County Home Educators
Bradley County Home Educators is a Christian-based homeschool support group that exists to provide encouragement and support, fellowship, and spiritual leadership to those who are seeking to teach their children at home.
Homeschoolers of Memphis Eclectic (HOMe)
Homeschoolers of Memphis eclectic’s mission is to connect homeschooling families through an inclusive local group that encourages members to share resources, learn together and build a diverse community. Homeschoolers of Memphis eclectic is inclusive. The network’s membership includes various ethnicities and cultures, divergent spiritual and religious worldviews, assorted political and social philosophies, and a broad range of educational approaches involving children from all levels of ability ...
East Tennessee Secular Homeschoolers (ETSH)
This group is for parents in East Tennessee who wish to homeschool/unschool their children with a secular approach.
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Featured Resources
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The Mystery of History
The Mystery of History series is another alternative to traditional textbooks. The five volume set covers history from creation to present day, with a biblical worldview. This series is intended for grades K-8. Note that at this time, this series is ...
Serving Homeschooled Teens and Their Parents (Libraries Unlimited Professional Guides for Young Adult Librarians Series)
This guide for librarians addresses the needs of homeschooled teens and how a library can meet those needs. Includes ideas like developing a homeschool resource and book collection to creating special homeschool programs. While this book was written ...
Kingdom of Children : Culture and Controversy in the Homeschooling Movement (Princeton Studies in Cultural Sociology)
More than one million American children are schooled by their parents. As their ranks grow, home schoolers are making headlines by winning national spelling bees and excelling at elite universities. The few studies conducted suggest that homeschooled...
Real Learning: Education in the Heart of the Home
This book is not about "school at home"--it is about something better. It is about Real Learning. Homeschooling pioneer Charlotte Mason wrote with great wisdom about providing young minds with a living books education. She urged teachers to present g...
Why We Homeschool
It is a common misconception that most parents homeschool due to bullies, school shootings, or bad teaching content. While these things are important, there is a higher purpose for choosing to home education your children. Even if all those things we...